ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Setting UP of Vegetable Clusters
Mission for Integrated Development Horticulture , a centrally sponsored scheme is implemented for the holistic development of horticulture sector in the country covering fruits, vegetables, roots and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo through various interventions.
Under MIDH, cluster-based approach is adopted for production and linking it with available infrastructure, or to be created, for post harvest management, processing, marketing and export. While selecting the cluster, preference is given to those areas where natural resource base and water resources have been developed. Special emphasis is also given for adoption of area based cluster approach towards developing regionally differentiated crops, which are agro-climatically most suitable for the State/region. However, the details of clusters including vegetables are not maintained at the Central level.
No such proposal is under consideration of this Ministry. However, under MIDH for the current financial year, States/UTs were requested to make sub-plan for development of crop
Clusters of major horticulture crops including vegetables and make provisions in their current years’ Action Plan for development of these clusters.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Ministry of Finance
Central Government is making efforts to see that Fintech is used optimally to take various government schemes to poor people in rural areas: MoS  Dr. Bhagwat Karad
“JAM Trinity is a prime example of how fintech can benefit people”
Mumbai, 7 September 2023
The Central Government is making efforts to see that Fintech is used optimally to take various government schemes to poor people in rural areas, stated Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad in Mumbai today. The Union Minister was delivering the keynote address at the Global Fintech Fest 2023, organized by the National Payments Corporation of India , Payments Council of India  and Fintech Convergence Council .
MoS  Dr. Karad said that the JAM  trinity is the key enabler of India’s transformed and well-developed digital landscape. It is a prime example of how fintech can benefit people. He said that more than 50 crore people have benefited from Jan Dhan Yojana and Jan Dhan account holders have deposited more than 2 lakh crore rupees in these accounts. In this context, he informed that India has so far issued 1.35 billion Aadhaar identities and has around 800 million active mobile users. He said that fintech is proving to be very useful in taking banking towards far-flung, remote, and tribal areas. Initiatives like Micro-ATMs is an example of that, he added. These initiatives lead to 13.5 crore coming out of poverty in last few years in the country, he added. Dr. Karad further stated that digital payment aggregators play an important role in implementation of DBT schemes, financial inclusion and spread of financial literacy.
Underscoring the importance of fintech for implementation of government’s schemes, MoS  Dr. Karad stated, for schemes like PM SVANidhi, beneficiaries apply for loans in the portal and later the government makes digital payments through DBT to hawkers and small traders. Fintech is also proving helpful for sending Kisan Samman Nidhi amount twice a year to farmers’ accounts through DBT. Similarly, 43 crore people have benefited from PM MUDRA Yojana.
MoS Dr. Karad also said that fintech will play a crucial role in making India the third largest economy from its present position as the fifth largest economy. He further said that building trust is very crucial in finance sector and fintech can play a role in it. More awareness about use of fintech is needed and fraud prevention is also an area which requires more attention, he added.
Dr. Karad complemented the organizers of Global Fintech Fest and said that it is heartening to note that the number of delegate have increased from last year in this annual event. The Union Minister further said that the Central Government has always been supportive of innovations and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always tries to boost morale of scientist and researchers.PIB Mumbai | SC/ DR
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
IFFI: Italian cinematographer Mr. Vittorio Storaro to be honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award
Panaji, January 15, 2021
The 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India  will honour the Italian cinematographer Mr. Vittorio Storaro with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award, at the opening ceremony, scheduled to be held tomorrow .
He is well-known for the film The Bird with the Crystal Plumage . He is noted for films like The Conformist , Last Tango in Paris , 1900 , Apocalypse Now , Reds , The Last Emperor , Dick Tracy , Café Society  and Wonder Wheel .
Mr. Storaro has received three Oscar Awards for Best Cinematography for the films Apocalypse Now , Reds , and The Last Emperor , and is one of three living persons who have won the award three times.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 57.61 Cr
Recovery Rate  at its highest since March 2020
34,457 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  lowest in 151 days
Active cases constitute 1.12% of total cases; lowest since March 2020
Daily Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 26 days
With the administration of 36,36,043 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has surpassed the cumulative figure of 57.61 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 64,01,385 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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1,03,52,796
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2nd Dose
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81,87,062
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FLWs
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1st Dose
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1,82,99,850
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2nd Dose
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1,24,76,020
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
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21,37,85,511
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2nd Dose
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1,84,75,457
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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12,18,54,173
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2nd Dose
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4,80,82,007
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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|
8,30,11,132
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2nd Dose
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|
4,15,93,342
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Total
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57,61,17,350
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
The recovery of 36,347 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,15,97,982.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.54%, the highest since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for fifty-five consecutive days now.
34,457 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
High recoveries and a low number of new cases have subsided the Active Caseload to 3,61,340 which is at its lowest in 151 days. Active cases presently form only 1.12% of the country's total Positive Cases which is the lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 17,21,205 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 50.45 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 1.98% remains less than 3% for the last 57 days now. The Daily Positivity rate also stands at 2.00%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for the last 26 days and below 5% for 75 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Skill India Campaign
Under Skill India Mission, about 20 Central Ministries/Departments including Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  are involved in the implementation of more than 40 schemes for various skill development programmes for youth across the country. Major schemes include Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana , Scheme of Jan ShikshanSansthan  for Skill Development, Scheme for Creation/Improvement of Training Infrastructure , National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme , Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes , Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana , etc.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing a flagship scheme PMKVY. PMKVY was launched as a pilot in 2015 . Owing to successful implementation of pilot phase of PMKVY 2015-16, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PMKVY scheme upto 2020. PMKVY  is implemented with an objective to provide skilling to one crore people across the country in four years i.e. 2016-2020. As on 17.01.2020, 93.33 lakh candidates have been trained / oriented across the country inclusive of 19.85 lakh trained / oriented under pilot PMKVY .
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
PARTICIPATION OF INDIAN AIR FORCE IN EXERCISE BRIGHT STAR-23 AT CAIRO AIR BASE, EGYPT
An Indian Air Force  contingent departed today, for participating in ExerciseBRIGHT STAR-23 a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to be held at Cairo  Air Base, Egypt from 27 August to 16 September 2023.
This is for the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23 which will also see participation of contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar. The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft. Personnel from the IAF's Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons will be participating in the exercise. The IAF transport aircraft will also provide airlift to approximately 150 personnel from the Indian Army.
The objective of the exercise is to practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations. IAF contingents to flying exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits.
India and Egypt have had exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook development of aero-engine and aircraft in 1960s and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts. The relationship between the two civilizational countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt. The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President greets the nation on the eve of Navroz
(I extend my warm greetings to all citizens on the auspicious occasion of Navroz, which marks the beginning of the Parsi New Year.
Embodying rejuvenation, optimism, and hope, the festival of Navroz is an occasion for friends and family to come together in the celebration of kinship, unity and fraternity.
May this Navroz bring health, happiness and prosperity to everyone’s lives.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister pays homage at the Mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the second day of his two-day visit to Bangladesh paid tribute at the Mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara. This marked the first ever visit by any foreign Head of State or Head of Government to pay homage at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi planted a Bakul tree sapling to commemorate this historic event. His counterpart, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina accompanied by her sister Sheikh Rehana was also present.
Prime Minister Modi also signed the visitor book at the Mausoleum complex. He wrote- "The life of Bangabandhu epitomized the freedom struggle of the people of Bangladesh for their rights, for the preservation of their inclusive culture and their identity.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
New Specified Health Warning on Tobacco Products packs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Rules, 2008 vide GSR 458  dated 21st July, 2020 “The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Third Amendment Rules, 2020”. The amended Rules will be applicable w.e.f. 1st December, 2020.
The new set of specified health warnings shall be-
- Image-1, shall be valid for a period of twelve months following its commencement from 1st December, 2020.
Image- 1
 Image-2, which shall come into effect following the end of twelve months from the date of commencement of specified health warning of Image-1.
Image- 2
The said notification alongwith the soft or printable version of the specified health warnings in 19 languages are available on the websites www.mohfw.gov.in and www.ntcp.nhp.gov.in
In view of the above, it is informed that;
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- All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st December, 2020 shall display Image -1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st December, 2021 shall display Image-2.
- Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture, production, supply, import or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall ensure that all tobacco product packages shall have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed.
- Violation of the above mentioned provision is a punishable offence with imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products  Act, 2003.
- The existing specified health warning  shall continue till 30th November, 2020.
Special Service and Features
Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar to visit Kerala tomorrow
Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow . He will be delivering a keynote address at Saadaram -2023, an event organized by Samkalp IAS - Kerala Chapter to honour the successful candidates of this year's civil service examinations. The event will be held at 10 AM at Hotel Hycinth, Thampanoor and will witness the participation of aspiring civil servants and their parents.
During his address at Saadaram -2023, MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar will shed light on the remarkable achievements of the Modi Government over the span of 9 years. He will emphasize how the government's initiatives have rekindled the sense of duty and patriotism among the citizens towards our nation. He will highlight the transformation that the bureaucracy has undergone during these years, ensuring effective governance and the optimal utilization of taxpayers' funds for the nation's welfare.
The Minister will also emphasize the significance of Mission Karmayogi, the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building  launched in 2020. This initiative serves as a transformative endeavour aimed at reforming the Indian bureaucracy and equipping civil servants with the necessary skills for future challenges. The programme's primary objective is to ensure there is capacity building framework at the individual, institutional, and process levels, and ensuring efficient and effective public service delivery.
The Saadaram -2023 event serves as a platform to recognize the talent and hard work exhibited by the individuals who have successfully cleared the civil service examinations.
NS
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health Ministry reviews preparedness for Novel Corona Virus
Dr. HarshVardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfarehas been closely monitoring the situation after the reports of 41 confirmed cases of novel Corona virus  including one death from Wuhan, China on 5thJanuary, 2020. According to WHO, the situation is still evolving and preliminary investigations suggest link to the sea food market. Coronaviruses are large family of viruses, which cause illnesses to people and also circulate in animals including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can also evolve and infect people.
Ms Preeti Sudan, Secretary , Government of India is regularly reviewing the public health preparedness in the country since the news broke out. As directed by the Health Ministry, meetings of the Joint Monitoring Group  were convened under the Chairmanship of Director General of Health Services  on 8thand 15th January, 2020 with representations from various stakeholders  and WHO.
Secretary,  stated that “the public health preparedness is being reviewed on day-to-day basis and the core capacities to timely detect and manage importation of the nCoV into the country are being strengthened further”. She mentioned that the situation is being monitored in consultation with WHO and keeping in view the limited human to human transmission the risk at global level is perceived to be low.
However, as a matter of abundant precaution the Ministry of Health has instructed screening of international travellers from China at designated airports namely, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatathrough thermal scanners. In coordination with Ministry of Civil Aviation, in-flight announcements are also being made. A travel advisory has also been issued to the passengers travelling to and from China on the issue. A copy of the same is also available on the Health Ministry website.
The Health Ministry has issued necessary directions to all concerned on laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, infection prevention and control  and risk communication. Integrated Disease Surveillance Program  is geared up for community surveillance and contact tracing. The NIV Pune, ICMR Laboratory is coordinating the testing of samples for nCoV in the country. The hospital preparedness with regard to management and infection prevention control facilities has been also reviewed during high level meetings and advisories, and IPC Guidelines have been shared with the States. Adequate stocks of logistics including PPE is available. State governments have also been advised on the necessary precaution to be taken up on the issue. Ministry of Health is also in touch with Ministry of External Affairs, and the immigration officers at the said airports have been sensitized.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan continues to be in force
The Air Quality Index  has been showing an increasing trend for the last two days in the Delhi-NCR. Wind conditions have not been very favourable and accordingly dispersion of air pollutants has not been very effective.
Considering the significant spike in Delhi’s overall AQI from 260 to 346 in the last two days, north-westerly wind flow conducive to increase the impact of farm fires on the AQI of Delhi and the need to continue with the steps to prevent deterioration of air quality, the Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas  for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan , after comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario and relevant aspects has taken the decision that ongoing actions implemented under Stage III of the GRAP shall continue and it should not be withdrawn at this stage.
The Sub-Committee is closely watching the situation and will review the air quality scenario on a regular basis.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to address 18th Convocation of Tezpur University on 22nd January
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the 18th Convocation of Tezpur University, Assam on 22nd January 2021 at 10:30 AM through video conferencing. Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and the Chief Minister of Assam Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will also be present on the occasion.
The event will witness the conferring of degrees and diplomas upon 1218 students who passed out in 2020. Among the degree recipients, 48 toppers of various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes will be awarded Gold Medals.
The Convocation will be held in blended mode observing the Covid-19 protocols, whereby only the Ph.D. scholars and Gold Medalists will receive their Degrees and Gold Medals in person and the rest of the recipients will be awarded degrees and diplomas virtually.
Ministry of Railways
Nearly 3400 MT Oxygen delivered by Oxygen Expresses to Maharashtra, MP, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Telangana & UP
Presently 26 tankers are on the run with 417 MT of LMO
More than 220 tankers load taken
More than 52 Journeys completed
4th Oxygen Express to Maharashtra and 3rd to Nagpur on the way
Till date 230 MT has been offloaded in Maharashtra, 968 MT in UP, 249 MT in MP, 355 MT in Haryana, 123 MT in Telangana, 40 MT in Rajasthan and 1427 MT in Delhi
 to various states across the country. So far, Indian Railways has delivered nearly 3400 MT of LMO in more than 220 tankers to various states across the country.
54 Oxygen Expresses have already completed their journey so far.
It is Indian Railways endeavour to deliver as much LMO as possible in the shortest time possible to the requesting states.
Till the time of this release, 230 MT has been offloaded in Maharashtra, 968 MT in UP, 249 MT in MP, 355 MT in Haryana, 123 MT in Telangana, 40 MT in Rajasthan and 1427 MT in Delhi.
Presently 26 tankers are on the run with 417 MT of LMO which are expected to arrive in Maharashtra, UP, Haryana and Delhi. Running of new Oxygen is a very dynamic exercise and figures keep getting updated all the time. More loaded Oxygen Expresses are expected to start their journeys later in the night.
AYUSH
National Institute of Unani Medicine , Ghaziabad will help in mainstreaming and integration of Ayush healthcare services with modern medicines: Ayush Minister
Union Minister of Ayush and Ports Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal today inspected newly constructed campus of National Institute of Unani Medicine  at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. NIUM, Ghaziabad is a satellite Institute of National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangaluru and will be first of its kind to be established in northern region of India.Union Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation General V.K. Singhand officials of Ministry of Ayush accompanied with Shri Sonowal.
On this occasion the Ministersaid that National Policy on Health envisages inter alia mainstreaming of Ayush in healthcare and also to integrate these systems in areas of education, research in all tiers of healthcare delivery. He said that the Ministry of Ayush has undertaken various steps to encourage R&D and innovation, develop apex Institutes for education, and research in the Unani Medicine. “I am confident this Unani institute will popularize the Ayush system and cater to the needs of Northern region of the country.” he further added.
The foundation stone for the National Institute of Unani Medicine  at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh was laid on 1st March 2019. This Institute will produce high quality professionals in various streams of Unani Medicine. This Institute will have 14 departments and will provide PG and Doctoral courses in various disciplines of Unani Medicine. The Institute will also focus on fundamental aspects, drug development, quality control, safety evaluation and scientific validation of Unani medicine and practices. The Institute will establish Bench Mark standards in Education, Health Care and Research.
National Institute of Unani Medicine, Ghaziabad is being constructed at a cost of Rs 381 Crores and shall also function as an international collaboration center for global promotion and research in Unani Medicine. The Institute will have a pivotal role in making bilateral and multilateral collaboration with the universities/research organizations of international repute.
SK
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